Triangle Ferret Lovers Newsletter
Issue 18, May/June 1997
Your ferrets will, at some time, need to travel outside of your home. Trips to the veterinarian, vacations with the humans they own, and any other reason your ferret(s) need to leave home is particularly dangerous due to the record hot weather the area may experience. The following tip means comfort for your ferret(s), at the most, a life saving technique. Freeze a bottle of water in any small plastic container (such as a 16oz cola). Put the frozen water bottle into a double sock pouch to absorb the perspiration from the bottle. Place the entire sock/bottle combination into your pet's carrier to go with them and help keep them cool. You may have air conditioning in your vehicle, but there will be times they will be exposed to the elements, and this summer is shaping up to be a hot one!
Ferrets DO NOT have sweat glands and are somewhat compromised in their ability to maintain normal body temperature in warm temperatures. A fuzzy in distress from heat will first pant, then go limp, then lose touch with their surroundings. Get the ferret out of the hot place and start cooling him down slowly. Cool water is best, but not TOO cold, since the ferret's body temperature will drop way too far, with him unable to stop it. Anything you can get him to drink is good (besides alcohol), but never force liquids into an unconscious animal. After these emergency measures, get your pet to the vet immediately. Even ferrets that seem to have recovered may die within 48 hours due to the massive shock they have undergone. Things to watch for include tarry stools and vomiting.
REMINDER: High 80s temperature is too hot for your ferret to be outdoors. Always provide plenty of water and cool temperature (i.e. A/C). Cool down your ferret slowly, with a spray water bottle, bath, and/or liquid.
There is a $25 charge to rent the Center, so if you know of another place we can meet for July onward centrally located in the Triangle, please contact Dave @ 785-0687 before 6:00 in the evening.
You are welcome to bring your non- aggressive, up-to-date vaccinated ferret(s) with carrier/litterbox/water/leash from 4:30pm-6:30pm beginning with a club meeting and then play/social activity. Please join us and give us your input!
Ferretone, Linatone, Flax Seed Oil are fatty acid supplement that are made up of oil can be used in several ways. (Flax Seed Oil is popular since it has a lower Vitamin A content and less worry about possible toxicity in larger doses). To clip nails; hold ferret on its back like you cradle a baby, drop oil on belly. Clip nails while ferret is occupied licking up the oil. At the vet; pour a small amount on the exam table while ferret is getting temperature taken. They don't even look up. Use as an occasional treat, too. Watch out for the fuzzy stealing the bottle!
We have a number of cut-off pants legs for the ferrets to crawl in and out of. All of them are denim, and the ferrets seem to adore these things, so we've have plenty in their room. I entice them to crawl in and then make rocket noises and drag the leg around on the floor in a simple figure-8 pattern, couple times around. They love it! If they're calm enough to get out of the pants leg before they start dooking ("talking") and dancing, they popcorn around the room uncontrollably, then shoot back into the pants leg for more. Easel's tail wags his tail throughout this game. Note: I don't think the rocket noises are necessary for the enjoyment of the ferret!
It's time for you to get down on your hands and knees - for a ferret-eye-view to "ferret out" anywhere they can squeeze their little head through. Check your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, and basement very carefully if your fuzzy will have access. Look under cabinet facing, around appliances, where pipes go into walls, and determine where your fuzzy will be able to get into your cabinets where there are hidden pipes and toxic household products (some ferrets will puncture plastic bottles and aluminum cans).
Be aware that they can be stepped on under rugs, squashed under cushions, crushed in closing doors, climb into the dishwasher/dryer/refrigerator, and recliners or sofa beds can cut them in half. I found out the hard way they can knock over just about anything you lean up against the wall - onto themselves of course.
Even though my fuzzies hate baths they have an affinity for water. They can pull themselves up and into the toilet, so close the lid or move the wastebasket away from it. I cannot even wash the floor if they're up and about because they will end up in the bucket.
I have never had a problem with cords, but that does not mean that you won't. I did have one big ol' Elmie who loved to stretch-n- chase the telephone receiver cord.
The best advice I can give is to supervise to make sure he/she is safe, and confine to a smaller area (like their two-story wire cage) when you are not home.
Casey: Sarge, Come in Sarge! Do you remember the secret double
dooker mission?
Sarge: Yep! Making my way to back porch sliding glass force
field now. Conducting recon survey of surrounding outer
space.
Casey: Are those mangy flea hotels...uh, I mean the Targets in
sight?
Sarge: Yes sir! One is peeing on a tree and the other has his
Anti-Doofus Exploratory restraint all tangled in the back
porch furniture.
Casey: Perfect. I'm in the Subterranean Under the Dresser
Stronghold (SUDS). I'll be right there! *scamper of
little fur-feet*
Sarge: Ready Captain Casey?
Casey: Ready Sergeant Sarge!...Go!
(Both hop into plain view of the doofus dogs through the sliding
glass doors. Casey & Sarge dance up and down.)
DD 1: Woof! Woof!....Yipe! *thud*
Casey: How easy they forget their restraining device.
DD 2: Bark! Bark!...*crash boom crash*
Casey: Ohhhh! Restraining devices and lawn furniture just don't
mix, bud. That had to hurt!
Sarge: Let's moon them!
Casey: On three...One...Two...
Sarge: Dogs are silly. Heh, heh, dook!
Casey: Yeah, but without them, who else besides Daddy would we
torment and tease?
Sarge: The F.L.O. is freaky cool! *scamper, scamper*
Shelter ferrets are no different as any other as far as personality goes. Most, from my experience, are very appreciative of a new home. My strongest memory from our shelter, is of Falcor. She had been with us for quite some time and she and I had formed a strong bond. However, when her perspective adoptive parents arrived at our shelter with their young kit looking for a companion, Falcor seemed to know.
During the interview process with the adoptees, Falcor, for some reason, wanted me to pick her up. She cuddled in my arms for the last half hour. I thought she had gone to sleep. Then, she roused, kissed my hands and arm, then wanted down. She went over to the carrier and climbed in. She waited until the adopters placed the it in with her. She cleaned the kit and curled up with her. She knew it was time to leave and she had said her goodby to me. She was ready to go to her new home.
We received several calls from the people who adopted her. Falcor and their kit have made a lasting bond and is quite happy at her new home. If you are considering a shelter ferret, I'd recommend taking your established ferret and letting them pick out one another. Shelter ferrets need homes, too.
TRIangle Ferret Lovers 4001 Cummings Circle #1-B Raleigh, NC 27613
This web page is maintained by Pam Sessoms. I can be reached at: pjdutche@email.unc.edu.
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